The appearance of President Abelardo de la Espriella in a video touring various sectors of Santa Marta with a pistol on his waist has reignited the debate on gun ownership in Colombia. The president visited the city amidst a public order situation caused by actions attributed to the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada, accompanied by members of the Police and the Army.
The gun reportedly carried by President de la Espriella is believed to be a Glock 19 Gen 5, which would be a personal property weapon, not a standard-issue pistol for the uniformed personnel accompanying him.
In Colombia, gun ownership and carrying are subject to specific regulations. Tenencia, which refers to the permission to keep a gun in a residence, establishment, or authorized location, and porte, which allows the owner to carry the gun outside of these locations with a valid permit issued by the competent authority, are two different concepts.
To obtain a permit, applicants must register on Siaem 2.0, undergo background checks, present their ID, prove economic activity and psychophysical aptitude, and complete a gun handling course or hold a first-class military libreta.
Holding a permit to carry a gun does not imply that the gun can be used indiscriminately. Firing a gun without a defensive need can be considered a crime, and pointing or threatening someone with a gun can also have legal consequences.
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Legitimate defense must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific circumstances. Having a permit to carry a gun does not automatically justify any shooting as legitimate.
Gun prices vary depending on the brand, model, and category. For example, the Indumil Córdova Estándar (9mm/9T/3P) has a total with tenencia of $6,3 millions; the Córdova Estándar (9mm/15T/3P) has a total with tenencia of $6,5 millions. The total with porte for Indumil guns ranges from $6,8 millions to $7,1 millions.
Other brands, such as Beretta, Ceska Zbrojovka, and Glock, also offer various models with different prices for tenencia and porte.
In addition to handguns, shotguns are also available for purchase. The prices for shotguns from brands like Indumil, Hatsan Arms Company, and Browning are listed.
The Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada, a group accused of causing the public order situation in Santa Marta, has been the subject of controversy and debate. The group’s actions have been condemned by the government and civil society organizations, who argue that they pose a threat to public safety and security.
